West Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Mark
Burns-Williamson, has launched the latest round of his Safer
Communities Fund with a focus on tackling serious violent
crime.

The latest round of the Fund opens today (14/05) with £200,000
available for community projects that specifically tackle all forms
of serious violent crime, including those focusing on prevention
and early intervention, supporting diversion away from crime,
protection and education and support for victims of serious
violence.

The Safer Communities Fund was launched in 2014 to help keep
communities safe by providing grants of up to £5000 to the
voluntary sector, community groups, charities and partners.

The Fund is financed by money recovered from criminals by West
Yorkshire Police and prosecutors under the Proceeds of Crime Act,
and so far has given out over £2.2million in grants to 510 projects
from across West Yorkshire.

Mark said: "We have been working really hard in West Yorkshire
to tackle all forms of serious and violent crime, but sadly we have
all seen the recent headlines both in West Yorkshire and across the
country. A key part of the solution is our communities and we are
looking for projects which can make that real difference at a local
level in helping to deter and prevent such incidents and crimes
from happening in the first place.

"We also need everyone's help in spreading the word about the
Fund so it can reach all the groups and projects that it could
potentially help. If you know of any organisations that could
benefit from this funding please point them in our direction as
such work is all part of our strategy of better engagement across
West Yorkshire.

"Finally I would like to put on record my thanks to West
Yorkshire Police and prosecutors for their hard work in ensuring
that criminals aren't benefitting from their ill-gotten gains and
that we consistently have good sums of money to put back into our
communities in making a positive difference."

Assistant Chief Constable Catherine Hankinson of West Yorkshire
Police, said: "Tackling violent crime is not just a police issue -
prevention is far better than the cure. There are some brilliant
groups and organisations who are making a real difference in the
communities we serve - working to stop violent crime before it
happens.

"It is important that they have as much support as possible and
money like this - taken from criminals and given back to the
community - can help to make a real difference.

"I would encourage as many groups as possible to apply."

This round of the Fund closes for applications at 12 noon on
Friday 15 June. To find out more about the Safer Communities Fund,
including how to apply, visit /safer-communities-fund.aspx.